Sports

Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Semi Finals

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Port Adelaide v Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

When things are glum, there’s more to come. It’s a saying which is applicable to Port Adelaide, who this week ruled out defender Ryan Burton with a calf injury, leaving the Power defence seriously undermanned.

His absence, coupled with the unavailability of Dan Houston (suspended) and Kane Farrell (hamstring), would provide besieged coach Ken Hinkley with a debilitating headache at the best of times, let alone a cutthroat final against a white-hot Hawthorn outfit. And that outfit boasts Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston, Jack Ginnivan, Luke Breust, Nick Watson, Connor Macdonald and Calsher Dear in attack.

Hawthorn’s hunt for the ball has been elite for an eternity and with Jai Newcombe and James Worpel stepping up in the absence of Will Day, they are entitled to think they’re capable of advancing to the preliminary final.

VERDICT: Hawthorn to win

SATURDAY

GWS v Brisbane, ENGIE Stadium, 5.30pm

Had you walked away from your television at three-quarter-time of last weekend’s qualifying final in the Harbour City, you did so with the expectation Sydney would be in action on semifinal weekend.

However, a trademark Swans fightback tipped the Battle of the Bridge on its head and forced the Giants to this clash with Brisbane, who took care of Carlton with a withering quarter and a half to open their elimination final. But their goalfront inaccuracy remains an issue.

In the two losses to GWS this season, Brisbane have booted 16.27. It is a trend that simply cannot continue. As for GWS, the return from injury of Toby Bedford gives Adam Kinglsey options in regards to who he wants to put the clamps on … Lachie Neale or Dayne Zorko.

VERDICT: GWS to win

Market Market



Recent Articles